Cap'n Bob & the Damsel – Page 193 – Perspectives on Life and Politics

Christmas Cholla Cactus

I was in the outback (the undeveloped part of our lot) trimming back a mesquite tree and getting rid of the dead branches. When I was done with the mesquite, this Christmas cholla cactus was exposed. It has nasty spikes and colorful berries that are covered with glochids. This individual plant is about three feet high and a diameter of four feet. It is one of several in the outback, which I would like to remove except for all the hostile features that a good set of work gloves won’t keep out of your hands.

FireFlyForest.com has quite a lot of information on this cactus (cylindropuntia leptocaulis), but no mention of how to remove them. They are an Arizona native species and are a “protected native plant (salvage restricted)” whatever that means. Click on the image to enlarge.

01 Feb 2013 by CapnBob Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Overtures to Spring

Over the last couple of days, we have noticed a curve billed thrasher or two, hanging around our transplanted saguaro cactus. When the crew installed the cactus in August, it had a couple of abandoned bird nests in the arms. Today, the thrasher was in one of the nests singing a different tune. Instead of its usual wit-WEET call, it was making a warbling, squeaky, hurried song, which we think is a mating call.

We had thrasher chicks last spring and summer in a nest in a nearby cholla cactus. It was low enough that we could walk over to it and take photos with eggs and then chicks, in the nest. The saguaro is a different proposition; this nest is eight feet above the ground, so we won’t be able to get a camera up there. Click on the image to enlarge.

31 Jan 2013 by Damsel Arizona Critters Photography

Skeeter

Here’s the prevaricator-in-chief taking pot shots at one of the only networks that tells the truth about his administration. Via The Patriot Post.

Skeeter

30 Jan 2013 by CapnBob Humor Whacko Politics

Giant Asian Lilies

The lilies we bought last week have opened up and to my delight, they are HUGE. The span across the petal tips is about nine inches. Like lilies on steroids, or something. I wish we could transmit the wonderful fragrance of these pink beauties over the internet. Click on the image to enlarge.

29 Jan 2013 by Damsel Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Road With A View

Today, we went on our usual Monday (senior discount day) shopping trip to the discount store in town. As we pulled out on the unpaved road that connects us to the outside world, we were treated with our usual view of lower Casandro Wash with the Hieroglyph Mountains in the distance. Click on the image to enlarge.

28 Jan 2013 by Damsel Arizona Photography Retirement

Four Red Trumpets

All four of the amaryllis flowers on the first stalk are now open. I had to wait for some sunshine to take this picture since it was raining this morning. Click on the image to enlarge.